Dogs apparently mauled penguins in southern Australia on Wednesday, and an investigation into the deaths of 58 of the birds was launched, wildlife officials said.

The carcases of the so-called "fairy penguins" -- the world's smallest penguin species -- were found strewn across a beach in Tasmania, a island-state off the mainland.

"We would like to remind dog owners of the need to take responsibility for their animals at all times as dogs have the capacity to do a lot of damage to penguin colonies in a short period of time," Tasmania's department of parks, water and environment said in a statement.

The latest grizzly find comes just months after a dozen birds were found dead on a nearby beach, they too are believed to have been killed in a dog attack.

"All reports of alleged unlawful harming of wildlife are regarded extremely seriously by the department," the government department said.

Fairy penguins -- who grow to around just over a foot (30 centimetres) and can live for up to 24 years -- are only found in southern Australia and New Zealand, with Tasmania supporting around half of the global population.